For Certified Plan Writers

Frequently Asked Questions - MFL Entry and Deadlines

1. Q: How does a certified plan writer (CPW) obtain an MFL order number?
   A: The CPW should send an order number request form to DNRFRForestTax@wi.gov to obtain an order number. The order number must be obtained before submitting the application to the DNR forester. An order number needs to be obtained for all order types, including additions (for notification purposes).

   The CPW will need to submit the following information to obtain an order number:

   • Year of entry
   • Type of order
   • Primary landowner name (this should be exact)
   • Primary landowner mailing address
   • County
   • Municipality
   • Town/range/section
   • Legal descriptions
   • Approximate acreage
   • Indicate if this landowner owns other MFL land (we need to combine landowner records in our database)

   Other helpful information would include:

   • Deed or land contract
   • Length of order
   • Open/closed acres
   • Parcel ID number
   
   
2. Q: What is the MFL application deadline and how strict is it?
   A: Applications must be postmarked on or before June 1. Extensions will not be granted.
3. Q: Who sends the approved application to the Forest Tax Program?
   A: The DNR Forester or reviewer sends the approved application to Madison.
4. Q: Does the area forestry leader need to review CPW-prepared plans?
   A: The review of CPW-prepared plans is presently determined by the area/region.
5. Q: What is the process to enroll in the MFL program?
   A: The process is shown in the flow chart located on the Forest Tax internet.
6. Q: Should the DNR forester retain a copy of the approved application?
   A: Yes, DNR Foresters should keep copies of all correspondence for their records. FTP will not be copying and sending out applications.
7. Q: What happens if a CPW submits an MFL application and it is discovered that the land is owned by 2 different parties?
   A: There are 3 options for this occurrence:
   1. The CPW must submit a second MFL application by June 1. -OR-
   2. The landowners must decide which parcel (ownership) to enter. -OR-
   3. The landowners can deed all of the property to the same ownership. The legal document must be recorded by the June 1 deadline.
8. Q: When a CPW submits an MFL application for review, how long does the DNR forester have to review it?
   A: The DNR forester must review applications within 45 days.
9. Q: How are multiple municipality applications handled?
   A: Multiple municipality applications will only be allowed if the lands on either side of a municipal or county boundary cannot qualify for entry on its own. The application fee is $30 for each county.

   Here are some additional details:

   1. Due to the limitations of our current Forest Tax Laws computer application, order numbers can only be assigned per municipality. Applications with multiple municipalities will have separate order numbers but only one application and one management plan. Separate land listings should be filed for each order number. Separate land exams and maps should be filed for each order number and program. (The online WisFIRS application is being designed to assign one order number per application. In the interim, we must work with the multiple order numbers our current computer system assigns.)
   2. The closed acre policy remains the same. An ownership can only have 160 acres closed in a municipality.
10. Q: Can a landowner request changes to an MFL application after it is approved and sent to FTP, but before the effective date of the order?
    A: Yes, landowners can make amendments prior to the effective date of the MFL order. Some examples of changes that will be allowed include:
    • Moving the location of a building site or exclusion.
    • Changing acreage.
    • Changing the tax status between open and closed.
    • Changing the order length from 50 to 25 years. Changing the order length from 25 to 50 will not be allowed after the orders of entry are printed since management plans will not include practices for the second 25 year period.
    • Choosing to not enroll any lands under the MFL program.
11. Q: How does the landowner get a copy of their MFL application?
    A: It is the CPW’s responsibility to provide the landowner with a copy of the MFL application.
12. Q: If a landowner withdraws a DNR-prepared application before it is completed or invoiced, is the landowner charged a management plan fee?
    A: If a landowner withdraws an MFL application and has not yet received a copy of the MFL application and invoice, the management plan fee will not be assessed.

A management plan fee will be assessed if the landowner has received an MFL application and invoice from the Department, regardless of whether the landowner chooses to continue with or withdraw the MFL application. An invoice is sent to the landowner when the application is sent to the landowner for signatures.

13. Q: Are CPWs required to submit electronic copies of MFL applications?
    A: No, the department cannot require that a CPW submit an electronic version of an MFL application. CPWs are encouraged to send electronic documents to facilitate review.
14. Q: Can landowners with expiring MFL land submit their applications early, i.e. for future deadlines?
    A: No, landowners cannot apply to enroll land into the MFL program early. Applications are only accepted for active (current) deadlines and entry years. Applications submitted for future deadlines will not be accepted and will be returned. CPWs can begin work on expiring MFL land at any time, but applications and management plans will only be accepted and reviewed for the active (most current) deadlines.